UAL Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication Diploma & Extended Diploma Level 3

Course overview

At Matthew Boulton College, choose from three specialist pathways:

• Visual Communication – develop skills in typography, photography, digital design, illustration, advertising and moving image.
• Art & Design – explore a broad range of subjects including fashion & textiles, graphic design, 3D design and fine art.
• 3D Craft, Design & Architecture – work hands-on in specialist workshops to create 3D prototypes using a variety of materials and digital tools.

At Sutton Coldfield College, choose one of the below pathways following an introduction to all the subjects during the 4-week induction project. You will then specialise in this area for the duration of the course.

• Visual Communication – you will develop skills in a number of areas including branding, typography, photography, digital marketing and advertising, app and web design, illustration, and moving image. You will be using the industry standard Adobe CC suite of software including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere and XD.
• Fine Art – you will develop your drawing and painting skills developing broad concepts and a range of media with the space and ability to work at large scale on canvasses, use oil paints and acrylics, mixed media, or even photography and film.
• 3D Applied Design & Architecture – this is hands on working in a well-equipped, specialist workshop and studios. Production of 3D prototypes exploring a range of materials, processes and ideas is supported by digital CAD design and photography. You can specialise within architecture, interior design, jewellery, sculpture, model making, or prop design.
• Fashion & Textiles – you will develop the skills to design and create your own collection. Developing skills in fashion illustration, design, print and textiles skills, production skills including pattern cutting and sewing techniques. Supported by digital and photography skills, with the opportunity to showcase your garments in a cat walk show.
• Digital Illustration, Animation & Concept Art – You will develop skills in Digital Illustration and Concept Art; Digital, Traditional and Stop Motion Animation; Traditional Art Techniques and Life Drawing; Character Design and Storyboarding. You will also learn how use software such as Adobe illustrator, Fresco, Photoshop, Animate, and Premiere in addition to practical sessions in drawing supported by art theory and ideas generation sessions using graphics tablets, iPads and traditional media.

On completion, you’ll achieve a UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.

What this course covers

Year 1:

• Unit 1 – The Creative Process
• Unit 2 – Developing Creative Practice
• Unit 3 – Responding to a Set Brief.

Year 2:

• Unit 4 – Researching Specialist Industry Practice
• Unit 5 – Specialist Technical Skills Development
• Unit 6 – Specialist Creative Outcome.

Entry Requirements

You’ll need 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English or maths. Alternatively, a Level 2 Diploma in a related subject at Merit or Distinction grade is accepted. You’ll also need to bring a portfolio of art and design work to your interview.

Progression Opportunities

Progress to a Foundation Diploma, higher education or employment. Career options vary by pathway and include game design, illustration, fashion design, costume design, architecture, interior design, and more.

Delivery And Assessment

The course is 100% coursework, and you will produce work in 2D and 3D and time based media, research projects, sketchbooks, design sheets, presentations and photographs recording processes, recorded in a reflective digital journal.